• Acquired by Richard and his team at ‘The Smallest Cog’ earlier this year for recommissioning, it was recently shown at The London Classic Car Show in its ‘before’ state. They have since set about preparing it for this sale.
• The RS2000 is one of the most sought after derivations of the Escort
• Originally supplied in the UK, it spent time in the Isle of Man, before forming part of a collection in the Republic of Ireland
• In Midnight Blue with a cream Beta interior, it's currently on a NOVA allowing an application for a full UK registration

Unlike the Mk1 Escort, which was designed by Ford of Great Britain, the Mk2 was a much more sophisticated design jointly developed with Ford of Germany. Based on a standard Mk2 two-door saloon shell, the RS2000 used the familiar 2-litre, four-cylinder, SOHC, Pinto engine mounted longitudinally in the bay driving the rear wheels. A single twin-venturi 32/36 DGAV Weber carburettor was fitted with the option of a Group 1 dual-Weber 40 DCNF or IDF set up. The front suspension used independent MacPherson Struts with an anti-roll bar and at the rear, traditional leaf springs with telescopic dampers were utilised. Front-mounted discs and rear drums were used, and four-spoke alloy wheels came as standard. Its biggest distinguishing feature was the 'droop-snoot' polyurethane nose housing four headlamps which gave it a rather aggressive look. The new car was capable of 110mph with 0-60mph taking 8.9 seconds, not too shabby in 1976, and which combined with the car's distinctive looks and that shiny RS badge, set Ford's showroom doors swinging.

Since being seen at the London Classic Car Show, the RS has been subject to a sympathetic restoration all round, including full new interior, full service including new brakes, calipers and timing belt and the removal and careful replacement of any panels and parts showing the inevitable signs of wear and corrosion to bring the car back to showroom condition. 

Originally supplied in the UK in 1979, registered DRY 548T, it eventually found its way to the Republic of Ireland, via the Isle of Man. Having acquired the car, its first owner kept it until 2007. Four further keepers enjoyed it before it settled in Ireland, as part of a private collection and was registered there in December 2014. There are extensive records for servicing around this time, including the all-important timing belt in 2014. It comes with accompanying literature including sales media, brochures, and magazine test drive reprints. 

The Smallest Cog team are going to be working on the car right up to the sale, as well as documenting it all for the show, but rest assured we believe that the outcome will be an Escort for all collectors. 

Given that all things Fast Ford have seen a boom in interest this last few years, and the association of Richard and the team at The Smallest Cog with the all-important TV Show to follow, this sensibly guided car is sure to create a stir in the room